MEET the new boss of more than 3,000 Hampshire workers of DIY giant B&Q.

Kingfisher, the owner of B&Q, has appointed former Superdrug boss Euan Sutherland, pictured, as chief executive of the Chandler's Fordbased firm.

The 39-year-old father-of-three will assume day-to-day responsibility for B&Q, with the managing directors of Screwfix and Trade Depot also reporting directly to him.

His appointment is the latest step in a meteoric rise up the business ladder.

After a spell in the Royal Highland Fusiliers, Mr Sutherland started his business career at Boots as a graduate trainee. He also worked for electrical chain Currys and was a director at clothing retailer Matalan before joining Superdrug in 2004. In September 2005 he was promoted to managing director and one year later was promoted again to chief executive of AS Watson Health & Beauty's UK arm, responsible for the Superdrug and Savers retail brands.

His appointment to the B&Q hot seat is part of a management shakeup by his predecessor Ian Cheshire, who is the new chief executive of Kingfisher. He hopes that the new appointment can reverse three years of negative sales at B&Q and is in little doubt about his recruit's qualities.

"He's a hands-on retail leader, a real talent for the future," he said.

"I believe there is huge potential yet to be unlocked at Kingfisher by changing how the group is managed, tightening our use of capital and driving out higher cash returns from our business. This appointment is a key step along the way."

Mr Sutherland said: "I am very excited to be running Kingfisher's UK division, working with some of the best people and the best brands in UK retail.

"It's clear to me that there is much more potential to come from the ongoing programme of renewal at B&Q, as well as capitalising on the fast-growing trade business.

"I'm looking forward to working with the UK teams, my new colleagues on the retail board, and Ian Cheshire to help deliver a step change in Kingfisher's value for its shareholders."